The purpose of this probe is to measure the turbidity of a given sample. "Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality."(1) The probe works by directing infrared light at the sample. A detector then determines the amount of light that was scattered and this can be used to determine the turbidity of the sample.
How do Scientists Use this Measurement?
Scientists use turbidity measurements to help them to determine the quality of a given water sample. High turbidity can have negative effects on water quality because more sunlight is absorbed by the water and thus the temperature of the water will be greater than water with a lower turbidity. Turbidity can affect algae as well as the wildlife within a body of water. Heavy rains and flooding can also affect the turbidity of a given water sample.
Record the steps that a student would use to calibrate or use this probe.
1. Turn on the lab quest and plug in the turbidity sensor.
2. Get to the lab quest app (it will have a number in a red rectangle followed by an NTU). To get to this screen push the home button on the bottom right of the pad and click lab quest app where pops on the screen.
3. Now click sensors at the top of the screen followed by calibrate --> Turbidity
4. A new screen will pop up with, push "calibrate now" button
5. Place the Formazin standard cuvette into the turbidity sensor well, close the lid and push keep on you lab quest.
6. Take out the Formazin and replace it with a cuvette of distiller water, fill in a 0 (zero) for reading 2 value and press keep
7. Push ok and your lab quest should be calibrated with a reading of zero (+/-) note: it won't be perfect!
How do I know that the probe is working properly?
The probe should be reading very close to zero for distiller water, and very close to 100 for Formazin. If it is way off or not changing for either something may be wrong, try a different sensor.
Possible Applications/Projects
This turbidity sensor can be used as part of regular testing for the water quality of various bodies of water. By analyzing how the turbidity of a given body of water changes over time, one can discover whether or not pollution issues are occurring with the area.
Purpose of Probe
The purpose of this probe is to measure the turbidity of a given sample. "Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality."(1) The probe works by directing infrared light at the sample. A detector then determines the amount of light that was scattered and this can be used to determine the turbidity of the sample.How do Scientists Use this Measurement?
Scientists use turbidity measurements to help them to determine the quality of a given water sample. High turbidity can have negative effects on water quality because more sunlight is absorbed by the water and thus the temperature of the water will be greater than water with a lower turbidity. Turbidity can affect algae as well as the wildlife within a body of water. Heavy rains and flooding can also affect the turbidity of a given water sample.Resources
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TurbidityDiagram or Photo of Probe Setup
Setup / Calibration Instructions
Record the steps that a student would use to calibrate or use this probe.1. Turn on the lab quest and plug in the turbidity sensor.
2. Get to the lab quest app (it will have a number in a red rectangle followed by an NTU). To get to this screen push the home button on the bottom right of the pad and click lab quest app where pops on the screen.
3. Now click sensors at the top of the screen followed by calibrate --> Turbidity
4. A new screen will pop up with, push "calibrate now" button
5. Place the Formazin standard cuvette into the turbidity sensor well, close the lid and push keep on you lab quest.
6. Take out the Formazin and replace it with a cuvette of distiller water, fill in a 0 (zero) for reading 2 value and press keep
7. Push ok and your lab quest should be calibrated with a reading of zero (+/-) note: it won't be perfect!
How do I know that the probe is working properly?
The probe should be reading very close to zero for distiller water, and very close to 100 for Formazin. If it is way off or not changing for either something may be wrong, try a different sensor.Possible Applications/Projects
This turbidity sensor can be used as part of regular testing for the water quality of various bodies of water. By analyzing how the turbidity of a given body of water changes over time, one can discover whether or not pollution issues are occurring with the area.